ABSTRACT
In 1912 Davis resigned from the chair of geology at Harvard. His letters and actions neither explain nor prepare us for this act, the complex reasons for which will for ever remain his own secret. Yet it appears that years earlier he had mentioned the possibility of retirement to Isaiah Bowman.
I read Science in large doses about once every two months and only the other day came across the news of your resignation. You had told me in January, 1908, of this possibility but since nothing came of it then I supposed you had reconsidered and would stay, to retire in the usual manner.
(Letter: I. Bowman to Davis, 7 August 1912; New Haven, Conn.)